2004 Audit Executive Summary:
Diocese of Honolulu, Hawaii
Diocesan Administrator Thomas L. Gross
Previous Audit
Conducted July 7 – 11, 2003
The information found herein represents conditions as they were found
to exist during the week of September 20 – 24, 2004.
The diocese has a policy on the
prevention of sexual abuse of minors by clergy. The diocese provides
outreach designed to offer pastoral care to victims/survivors and their
families. The bishop or his representative has met with, or offered to
meet with all victim/survivors. The bishop or his delegate has, in the
past, directed outreach to all faith communities in which sexual abuse of
a minor occurred. No faith communities have been impacted during the
current audit period. The diocese has a mechanism in place to respond
promptly to any allegation where there is reason to believe that sexual
abuse of a minor occurred.
The diocese has a victim assistance
coordinator, Joe Bloom, who is a Licensed Social Worker with Master
Degrees in Divinity and Social Work. In 1990 the diocese established a
Review Board which consists of eight members. This board has been updated
since the implementation of the Charter, though many previous members are
current members. The members include a deputy prosecutor, two
psychologists, one social worker with expertise in the field of sexual
misconduct, two attorneys, and two priests. The Board serves as a
confidential consultative body to the bishop.
The procedures for
making a complaint of abuse are available in printed form, and have been
and will be the subject of periodic public announcements. The diocese has
not entered into any confidentiality agreements during the audit period.
The
diocese has a policy to report all allegations of sexual abuse of a minor
to public authorities. The diocese complies with all applicable civil laws
with respect to the reporting of allegations of sexual abuse of minors to
civil authorities. The diocese has established effective liaison with
civil authorities, ensuring that an open dialogue regarding sexual abuse
allegations will occur. The diocese cooperates with public authorities
about reporting in cases when the person is no longer a minor. In all
instances, the diocese advises victims/survivors of their right to report
allegations of abuse by a member of the clergy to civil
authorities.
When an allegation of sexual abuse of a minor by a
priest or deacon is received, a preliminary investigation, in harmony with
canon law, is initiated. If a preliminary investigation so indicates, the
diocese notifies the Congregation for the Doctrine of Faith and applies
the precautionary measures mentioned in CIC, canon 1722, or CCEO, canon
1473. When accusations against a priest or a deacon are proven to be
unfounded, the diocese takes steps to restore the good name of the priest
or deacon.
When sexual abuse of a minor by a priest or a deacon is
admitted or established after an appropriate process in accord with canon
law, the diocesan policies provide that the offending priest or deacon be
permanently removed from ministry. The diocese offers professional
assistance to offending priests or deacons.
In every case
involving canonical penalties, the processes provided for in canon law are
observed. Accused clergy are encouraged to retain the assistance of civil
and canonical counsel. When necessary, the diocese supplies canonical
counsel to a priest or deacon.
If the penalty of dismissal from
the clerical state has not been applied, the diocese directs the offender
to lead a life of prayer and penance. The diocese does not allow the
offender to celebrate Mass publicly, to administer the sacraments, or to
present himself publicly as a priest.
The diocese has established
clear and well-publicized standards of ministerial behavior for priests
and deacons. A communications policy is in effect which reflects the
bishop's pledge to be open and transparent on issues regarding the sexual
abuse of children. The diocese does assist and support all parish
communities directly affected by ministerial misconduct involving minors.
Safe environment
training is already being conducted for all children and youth in the
diocesan schools. The Public School Religion students will be included in
this newly-developed safe environment training. Safe environment training
has already been conducted for clergy, educators, employees, and
volunteers. All individuals who have not received training have been
scheduled. The self-developed educational program for children, parents,
ministers, volunteers, educators, and others is, “Creating and Maintaining
Safe Environments.” The diocese has clear and well publicized standards of
conduct for persons in positions of trust with regard to sexual abuse. Due
to a state law restriction which prevents diocesan access to criminal
history information of those personnel who were employed by the diocese
prior to July 1, 2000, criminal history checks have not been conducted on
clergy, volunteers and other employees outside the educational system who
have regular contact with children. Child care facilities are required by
state law to conduct criminal history background checks and child abuse or
neglect checks of all employees. Thus, diocesan educators/employees who
work in a parish school which provides either before or after school child
care have had these checks completed. The diocese employs adequate
screening and evaluative techniques in deciding the fitness of candidates
for ordination.
The diocese has not transferred any priest or
deacon who has had a credible allegation of sexual abuse made against him
to another ministerial assignment since the last audit. The diocese has
not transferred any priest or deacon who has had a credible allegation of
sexual abuse made against him to another diocese for residence since the
last audit.
The bishop, or his designee, has coordinated with
major superiors of men with a presence in the diocese concerning
addressing the issue of allegations of sexual abuse of minors by clergy.
The diocese has not had the opportunity to participate in research with
other institutions in the area of sexual abuse. The diocese has developed
a systematic ongoing formation program in keeping with the Basic Plan
for the Ongoing Formation of Priests.
At the conclusion of this compliance audit,
the diocese was found to be compliant with all articles of the Charter
for the Protection of Children and Young People.